𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐆𝐀 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐍

The Power of Bullshit

Hanara had just come back from Asuma-sensei's funeral and was sitting on her bed, holding her team photo in her hands.

'It's all– It's all my fault...' she thought, silently sobbing. 'If I had focused more, then maybe Hidan wouldn't have gotten back into his symbol.'

Knock!

Hanara jumped and furiously wiped her tears away. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself and then walked to the door.

"Yoshino? Shouldn't you be–"

"Tch. As if I would let you be all alone at a time like this. Shikamaru has his father to take care of him, anyway."

"He needs you more than I do. It's his first time..." she cut herself off, but both women knew what she was referring to.

It's his first time dealing with death.

"Stop spouting off that nonsense," Yoshino glared, stepping inside the house. "You and I both know it hurts all the same. You deserve support and I'll be damned if I don't give it. I'm going to help you here and then you'll be spending the night at my house. Don't you dare try to complain."

Hanara sighed and glanced at the elder woman gratefully. "Thanks..."

Yoshino took charge of the house, cooking Hanara lunch, cleaning up the mess Hanara had neglected, and spending time with her, allowing Hanara to get some of the comfort she didn't know she was longing for.

Alas, time stops for no man and Hanara knew that with the looming threat of the Akatsuki shadowing over all the Elemental Nations, she had to get a move on. Asuma's death lit a fire in Team 10's hearts, making them work harder than ever to find a way to defeat the Akatsuki.

And if they singled out Hidan and Kakuzu in particular... Well, no one had to know.

A few nights later, Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, and Hanara were sneaking out of the Leaf Village. They weren't going to go all missing-nin on the Leaf. Shikamaru's orders still stood. He was just tweaking his interpretation of them by assembling a new squad.

"Hold it!" a voice behind them commanded. "Just where do you think you're going?"

The four of them turned.

"Lady Fifth," Shikamaru said. "Your mission directive still stands, there are still 18 squads on the move. We've just assembled a new team and are heading out to complete the mission."

"Not without my approval you're not," Lady Tsunade glared. "The enemy said they'd return. I will decide whether it's time to send out a proper squad. Shikamaru, you will join a troop of my choosing that will leave only after devising a proper plan of attack."

"Just send them as reinforcements after us. We already have a solid strategy," Shikamaru said.

"Enough!" Tsunade roared. "You four are emotionally compromised. Yo–"

'Time to bullshit our way out then.'

Hanara took a step forward and spoke, careful to keep her tone calm. "With all due respect, Lady Tsunade, we are a four man squad with a Jonin leader. We aren't Genin. Besides, everyone is emotionally compromised in some way when it comes to the Akatsuki. We want to protect the Leaf and are upset with the Akatsuki for targeting Sensei. You yourself are emotionally compromised because the Akatsuki is targeting Naruto. You're never going to find a completely neutral party unless you have a band of emotionless shinobi somewhere."

"Do you plan on this being some sort of battle to avenge your sensei?!?" Tsunade demanded. "It isn't like you... Do you want to die in vain?"

'Well, that didn't work... More bullshittery! Some good points...'

"Lady Hokage, I've fought and killed two of the Akatsuki while knowing nearly nothing about them. Now we have one of the villages greatest strategists, know their skills, and how they act," Hanara said.

"We're not stupid," Shikamaru continued. "We have no intention of running to our deaths. It's just..."

"Just what?"

Shikamaru sighed. "We don't intend to run away and keep living without fulfilling our duty. We aren't going to live without meaning!"

"Grow up! The shadow of death hangs over all shinobi! Some deaths may hurt more than others, but that's just life!"

'Don't you think we know that?!'

"Lady Hokage, don't you think we know that? We're a squad of four capable shinobi. We aren't compromised in any way, I–"

Hanara was cut off by Kakashi, "It is a bit unorthodox for a five man squad, but would you let them go if I went along?"

"Kakashi-" Lady Hokage moved to protest.

He interrupted her by whispering something in her ear.

Lady Hokage grimaced and sighed. "I suppose I'll allow you to go."

Team 10 grinned triumphantly.

"So, Team Asuma, let's get going," Kakashi said, giving them an eye smile.

The five shinobi stopped in the middle of a forest.

"So, Shikamaru, let's hear that plan of yours," Kakashi said.

"I'd like to tweak it a bit now that you're here with us, Kakashi," Shikamaru responded, crouching down and drawing in the dirt.

"No problem, go on."

"Now, listen carefully, and memorize this..."

"Byakugan!" Hanara murmured, looking around for Kakuzu and Hidan.

A glance to the north was enough to find them.

'Still arguing? I think Kakuzu is telling Hidan t– Yep, they're taking a different route.'

"Taking a different route, just as you predicted, Shika," Hanara informed her group, eyes still tracking the two Akatsuki members. "If we go around ten kilometres northeast, we'll reach them."

"All right, let's go."